TUE DOG. 145 



deserves repeatiiiij; : rcibies does not arise »pontaneoushj^ it does not 

 originate from nothing. 



All sorts of theories luive been adopted and found numerous de- 

 fenders, to sink again into oblivion. Among them may be men- 

 tioned the intiuences of extreme beat, extreme cold, want of water, 

 domestication, training, continement, too much ease and petting, 

 but, most ahsurd of all, and consequently held to with religious re- 

 spect, non-satisfaction of the sexual desires. 



AVhat has not been laid to this last cause by an absurdly ignorant 

 and supei'stitious hunumity i 



Every form of mental or nervous excitement, superabundance 

 of spirits, depression of spirits, poor appetite, a good appetite, too 

 much desire for sleep, want of sleep, good spirits, evil spirits, ill 

 temper, and about every ill which could be hypothetically connected 

 with the sexual organs, has been attributed to abuse or non-exercise 

 of their functions. 



I by no means wish it to be understood that there is not a most 

 intimate connection between the sexual organs and numy nervous 

 centres, but I must affirm that many of the things attributed to their 

 influence is most absurd nonsense. 



The medical profession seem not only too willing to support and 

 favor this unfounded superstition, which has been nourished by 

 man since history's beginning. 



Man's selfishness has been fostered at the cost of woman's happi- 

 ness and health, and the medical profession has done its part to su])- 

 port it. 



One would think the science of comparative physiology did not 

 exist, or that its teachings were a myth. 



Blind fools seeking to lead an equally blind humanity ! " Pluck 

 the mote out of thine own eye before thou seekest to remove the 

 beam from thy brother's eye." 



Some day., when what Ilaeckel calls ^^ physiogenie^''^ or wluit 1 

 would prefer to call funciio-getiesis, or thi genesis of the physio- 

 h>gical functions^ becomes a naked and cold-blooded part <f com- 

 parative physiology^ and is taught in our medical atid public 

 schools and described in our text-books, the world will learn and 

 know that no functions are given to contribute to mans pleasure 

 or selfishness ; hut thai, when pleasure is united with the exercise 

 of the physioh^gical functions, it is for the proper action of those 

 functions, and not for the sensual gratifiA:ation of a conceited nu;m- 

 ber of the animal creation. It may be axiomatically asserted, and 

 it is time that mankind should learn it, that man has no functions 



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